| In the Personal Belief System Theory, a theory paralleling Ellis' Rational-Emotive Behavioral Theory, it is proposed that human behavior and emotions are directed by the individual's cognitive process that contains a personal system of beliefs. However, research on belief as a construct has been limited. The personal belief system, and beliefs specifically, were the central constructs of this study. Based on Personal Belief Theory, a Personal Belief Systems Scale (PBSS) was created for assessing personal beliefs. The all-inclusive PBSS consists of beliefs about beliefs, thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, in relation to four categories (God, Others, Environment, and Self), a total of 213 items. For the purpose of model design, certain concepts believed important to people (rights, respect, relationship, communication, and God), were chosen to form the belief items. To test a portion of the PBSS, the Self Category was administered, consisting of 55 items and including a preliminary locus of control scale about beliefs with 17 items. In addition, self-esteem, religiosity, and portions of two locus of control scales were given. The instrument was administered to 408 undergraduates at a Midwestern University in the spring of 2002. Items were assessed for dimensionality and reliability. The expected factor structure was obtained only in part with a general correlated pattern of items associated with the worthiness of self and others, the importance of relationship, and of communication. Results of Pearson's r correlations, computed between factor-derived PBSS subscales and the following instruments are presented. Rosenberg's (1965) Self-Esteem Scale correlated significantly with factors about beliefs concerning the worthiness of self and other's, of a postmodern view, of feelings about communication, showing appreciation, close relationships, personal rights, and behaviors about how people act toward self and others and whether communication is difficult. Gorsuch and Venable's (1983) Intrinsic-Extrinsic Religiosity Scale correlated significantly with beliefs in God, importance of relationship, worthiness of self and others; thinking about relationships, considering the rights of self and others, thinking about people's wants, their value, and their rights, circumstances of close relationships, considering what I say; beliefs about feelings regarding communication, showing appreciation, close relationships, personal rights, and rights threatened; behavior related to self and others, whether people believe communication is difficult, showing respect for other's interests, and work needed in relationships. Berrenberg's (1987) God-mediated locus of control scale items correlated significantly with belief in God, in the worthiness of self and others; in thinking about relationships, considering the rights of self and others, about important issues in people's lives; feelings about showing appreciation, about having close relationships, about personal rights; about behavior related to whether communication is difficult, about work needed in relationships and showing respect for other's interests. Levenson's (1974) Internal, Powerful Others, and Chance Scale correlated significantly with belief in God, importance of relationship, worthiness of self and others, and postmodern view; thinking about relationships, the rights of self and others, thinking about important issues (valuing people, communication, and rights); feelings when communicating, feelings about showing appreciation, having close relationships, personal rights, and when rights are threatened; behavior regarding respectful behavior toward self and others, whether communication is difficult, work needed in relationships, and showing respect for other's interests. The pattern of correlations supported the construct validity of some of the obtained factors of the instrument. Implications for future research and for clinical application are discussed. |
